For the first time in more than 15 years, the FDA has a systemic antibacterial drug with a novel mechanism of action to combat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).
Lefamulin, which is marketed in oral and intravenous (IV) formulations as Xenleta, is indicated for adults with CABP. The drug is a semisynthetic that inhibits prokaryotic ribosomal protein synthesis through a unique mechanism that reduces its likelihood of developing resistance to bacteria or cross-resistance with the 尾-lactam, fluoroquinolone, glycopeptide, macrolide, and tetracycline antibiotic classes.